The scientific method paired with the practice of statistics is widely implemented to analyze, interpret and derive conclusions regarding a dataset. This laboratory exercise introduced first year biology students to the scientific method, applying it to evaluate how brown planaria (Dugesia tigrina) responds to light. In the laboratory setting, students were required to formulate a research question and hypothesis, design a study, record observations, gather data and perform statistical calculations (mean, median, standard deviation, t-tests), receiving feedback from their peers and teaching assistants. When surveyed, less than half of the students felt they had a strong background in mathematics or were comfortable in the subject. To resolve this, we produced multiple videos enabling students to review the content to help recall the material. These resources introduced students to terminology, provided them opportunities to practice usage of these terms, as well as instructions on how to perform statistical calculations. We employed an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to determine if the students who viewed the videos performed better on the statistical analysis and interpretation portion. Based on ANCOVA, the wet laboratory experiments in conjunction with video resources, resulted in increased student performance in the laboratory component compared to previous iterations without video tools.
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